Contributed by Demetra Farley 

Modified Seeds Calms Food Insecurity 

"Frankenfoods" to the rescue?

Therapeutic Potential in Cow Antibodies

Approximately 10% of cow antibodies possess an extended "stalk and knob" that is used to neutralize largely inaccessible surfaces on dangerous antigens. In this month's issue of Cell, author Feng Wang and colleagues isolate such cow antibodies and demonstrate how the extended arm structurally interacts with and responds to antigen. The authors hope to utilize these data to create similar antibodies that elicit immune response against difficult-to-treat diseases in humans. 

 Cow immunity of use in human disease

Contributed by Catherine Moorwood

Plugging the Pipeline with Postdoc Pay

The infamous 'leaky pipeline' of women in science careers is often attributed to parenting demands that impact women in mid-career stages, such as postdoctoral (postdoc) training. The long hours and low pay typical of postdoc positions are tough on working parents, who may find that leaving is the only answer. Increasing postdoc pay so that parents could afford childcare and other support might help overcome this trend.

STEM the tide

Why is U.S. Work-Life Balance So Bad?

The U.S. was recently ranked 28th among developed nations in the category of work-life balance, based on data collected by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. One contributing factor is the increase in hours spent in paid work by women and in particular, the challenges faced by single moms in the U.S.

Bad ratings

Contributed by Lara Kallal

Importance of Sleep for Women

Lack of good sleep can promote a rise in inflammatory levels, which can negatively affect cardiovascular health. A recent study of men and women with stable heart disease found a link between poor sleep quality and higher inflammation markers in women, but not men. Most women in the study were post-menopausal, with lower estrogen levels, and this could contribute to the finding.

 Sweet dreams 

Coffee: Good or Bad?

Coffee has generally gotten a bad rap with regard to health effects. Studies are now increasingly demonstrating the benefits of drinking moderate amounts of the beverage. In particular, both animal and human studies have linked caffeine with changes in the brain that can delay or prevent dementia. Interestingly, caffeine supplied alone versus coffee containing caffeine was less effective in animals performing memory tests, suggesting that coffee may contain other healthful components.

A cup o'joe a day